Tottenham add Real quality as Redknapp closes in on Diarra...
and Adebayor's next

Read quality: Lassana Diarra and Emmanuel Adebayor
are close to joining Spurs

Tottenham are close to completing the
signing of Lassana Diarra from Real Madrid.

Harry Redknapp revealed earlier this week that
Diarra remained in his sights, confirming that talks had taken
place between his chairman, Daniel Levy, and officials at the
Spanish club.

Sportsmailunderstands that those talks have almost been completed, with
Redknapp hoping that the 26-year-old France midfielder he worked
with at Portsmouth will be training with Tottenham within days.

I like him,’ said Redknapp. ‘The chairman’s been
trying to do something there.’

Tottenham would not reveal the exact details of the
deal last night, probably because Levy needs to find a way of
meeting the wage demands of Diarra, who currently earns more than
£100,000 a week.

A loan is possible, although there has also been
talk of Tottenham paying around £14million for a player who moved
for the best part of £20m when he left Portsmouth for Madrid in
2009.

Diarra is keen to move on though. He has made 68 La
Liga appearances in two seasons with the Spanish giants but he has
not been considered first choice since Jose Mourinho became manager
last summer and brought in Germany international Sami
Khedira.

Hands up if you want to join us: Harry Redknapp is
yet to make a move in the transfer market

If Diarra does now complete the move to
Spurs, Redknapp could soon have three former Arsenal players in his
side. Central defender William Gallas is already at White Hart Lane
and striker Emmanuel Adebayor is expected to join on loan from
Manchester City.

But the presence of Diarra would raise more
questions about the future of Luka Modric, as Chelsea prepare to
make an improved bid.

The players have different qualities - Diarra is
far more defensive than Modric - but Redknapp would still be adding
some real quality to his midfield and it would test Levy’s resolve
to keep hold of the Croat.

David De Gea, Manchester United’s embattled goalkeeper,
will be targeted by a Tottenham team ready to shoot on sight
tomorrow night.

Sir Alex Ferguson will stand by De Gea, insisting: “He’ll get
the protection he needs at home.”

But the visitors are aware that United’s new ­£18.3million
goalie will be shell-shocked after conceding soft goals in the
Community Shield at Wembley and last weekend’s Premier League
opener at West Brom.

The fact that United won both games has partially ­papered over
the De Gea cracks. But Spurs will be ­aiming to exploit any sign of
nerves from the 20-year-old Spaniard.

Spurs midfielder ­Gareth Bale said: “It’s obviously going to be
nerve-racking for him to go to United and be in the first team, but
he showed at Atletico Madrid and with Spain that he’s a world-class
keeper.

“If any keeper’s having a bad time, you’re going to test them and
it’s going to be no different. We’re going to go to Old Trafford
and give our all and test their whole team.”

After the soft goal, West Brom followed up with a second-half
physical ­assault that had Ferguson and the United players
fuming.

But Ferguson is adamant he has no qualms about keeping his summer
signing in the ­firing line against a side ­intent on exploiting
any fears or uncertainties.

The United boss is ­confident De Gea can come through the ordeal,
just as his greatest keeper, Peter Schmeichel, did after a mauling
at ­Wimbledon.

Ferguson said: “David will be fine. He just didn’t get the
protection from the challenges. He had an elbow in the face, the
boy went under him – it was bad.

“It’s disappointing not ­getting the protection. But he’s at home
on Monday, so we won’t have a problem. It’s just away from home he
might be subjected to things like that.”

Fergie added: “Schmeichel did have the same baptism of fire.

“At Wimbledon, he was squealing like a pig for ­protection. They
were ­battering lumps out of him.

“But David’s still young and remember Edwin van der Sar was a tall
skinny kid when he won his first European Cup.”

Ashley Young’s acclimatisation with the champions has been more
assured. He played a part in both goals in the 2-1 win at Albion to
­underline his potential for United.

“He’s settled in quickly, some don’t,” Ferguson said. “It’s not
fazed him coming here. He got the maturity last season, so it was a
good time to buy him.”

While United face all their title challengers in the early weeks,
Fergie contends neighbours City have a significantly less demanding
programme.

He said: “For some reason, City have come out at the right side of
the easier games. All the other top teams have really tough games
against each other.

“If we get through this spell in a good position, we can kick on
and be positive.”

Evra battle in out with Lennon, nice to watch. I am not sure if
Fabio or Smalling or Jones will play at RB, so whoever gets it,
will have to shackle Bale on the left.I am sure fergie will ask
Nani or Valencia to protect the RB, or assigned Park to do that
role.

I hope De Gea will not made any mistakes. if he continue to make
mistakes, then united will have to outscore spurs to win. I am sure
spurs defence cannot stop united from scoring, with Rooney helming
the attack and Young on the left.

Squad sheets: Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur

The loss of two experienced centre-backs would be a
blow to most clubs but the absence through injury of Nemanja Vidic
and Rio Ferdinand should provide a good opportunity for Phil Jones,
Manchester
United's summer signing from Blackburn. Despite the
challenge ahead, Tottenham will at least feel rested after a 5-0
amble against Hearts in the Europa League on Thursday. It remains
to be seen whether Luka Modric, if fit after injury, will take
part, considering the speculation about a possible move to
Chelsea.

The old trafford audience was very kind to de gea this morning.
They applauded at the most routine of saves and distribution. On
the looks of this match, he looks really shaky man.....can't
believe how he's the 18m buy.

On a positive note, phil jones looked superb, fearless and
accurate in his timing of tackles. Smalling played as right
back...he looked really comfortable taking on defenders while on
the overlap, quite surprising given that he only did the simple
defending when he was playing in the centre. And 1 year back, who
would have imagined that welbeck would be the star of a big match
for man u. Before he went on loan, he and macheda both looked like
aimless chickens running into the box.

De Gea is still coping, but less mistakes this time. He's improving
and a few more BPL games under his belt and he'll be good. Just
nerves. At least he's yelling at people now and directing his back
four around.

Jones, Welbeck, Smalling, Cleverly were really really great for me.
Anderson was okay and he will need to perform better to hold a
place because these kids were spectacular. The way they played
yesterday reminded me why I love United so much, if only Sneijder
was part of it, they would've spent 99% of the time in Tottenham's
half lol.

I think Macheda might go out on loan again before the transfer
window closes.

All in all, really really good game, keep the momentum going into
the next few games against Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and City and
there will be little to worry about when CL/FA/Carling games come
into the picture.

Side note: VDS and wife was present at the game. Highly likely
they're there to facilitate Sneijder and wife's move to England and
of course United?

Good match... Young and Jones are really great buys... Just glad
we didn't lose them to Pool...

Jones reminds me more of a Terry than Rio or Vidic... The
only difference is he got good pace. He is brave, he tackles
well... Can't belief he is only 19 man! I think Terry at 19 also
wasn't good yet...

De Gea had a better outing making decent stops only towards the
last 20mins he spoilt his "better performance" by fumbling again
but at least this time it isn't costly... Looking at Brad Friedel at the opposite side, the way he
plucks the ball out of the air seems routine man while De Gea
makes it look so difficult...

Jones really a goodd good buy. Tackle very well timed, Bravey
and got pace. I remember the tackle he made to bale.. Very nice got
the ball. and bale just rolling..and jones just super angry and
shout. hehe Nice. not afraid.

Smalling played well in RB too. Both of them has good
chemeisty 1 go attack the other stick well behind to
cover.

Young not bad wor..i wonder when valencia come back nani be back
to bench bo? Yesterday i saw nani...erm...so so leh.

The block against Pavlyuchenko too after De Gea fumbled... That
one also very good, he was very quick to react and brave to close
him down and took the power shot from
Pavlyuchenko right onto his body...

And yeah, Young really good... Ever since he join the squad, he
looks like he has been there for sometime kind... Totally not out
of place and is a threat to opponents whenever he gets
the ball... He is like, become the 2nd most dangerous player for
United now after Rooney...

Smalling not bad, has found himself a new position to add
to his centre-midfield role...

He congratulated scott parker after the match for a tireless
performance but me thinks he's just so so. Could have released a
few killer passes in his position but he didn't. And that direct
shot at serchessny shows he has little technique. Good work rate
for a mid table team but definitely not a top class one.